Multi-conductor connector apparatus for telephone and other data transmission systems

ABSTRACT

Connector apparatus for telephone and other multi-circuit data transmission systems, including a single-instrument fixed connector station comprising a molded plastic base affording a polarized receptacle encompassing a first terminal block having multiple bifurcated front-engaging quick-connection contacts; a latching cover is hinged to the base and strain relief means are provided for mounting the end of a multi-conductor cable adjacent the receptacle. The connector apparatus further comprises an instrument cable connector including a second terminal block matching the receptacle configuration and having multiple female contacts; the cable connector is provided with strain relief means for mounting the end of a multi-conductor cable. The cable connector mounts directly on the fixed station base, its female contacts receiving the outer ends of the quick-connection contacts to interconnect the two cables, and is held in place by the cover. A multi-instrument fixed station may be included in the connector apparatus; this station employs quick connection contacts like those of the single-instrument station to permit mounting the instrument cable connector directly on the multiinstrument fixed station.

United States Patent [191 Elkins 1 Feb. 18,1975

1 1 MULTI-CONDUCTOR CONNECTOR APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE AND OTHER DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS [75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Bunker Ramo Corporation,

Oakbrook, Ill.

[22] Filed: Oct. 16, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 297,713

Luejene Elkins, Chicago, Ill.

[52] US. Cl. 339/99 R, 339/258 S [51] Int. Cl HOlr 11/20 [58] Field of Search 339/97 R, 97 P, 98, 99 R, 339/256 SP, 258 S, 75 R, 75 N, 75 P, 76, 77,

78, 79, 91 R, 198 J, 125 R Primary Examiner--Jordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-Peter Nerbun Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William Lohff; F. M. Arbuckle [5 7] ABSTRACT Connector apparatus for telephone and other multicircuit data transmission systems, including a singleinstrument fixed connector station comprising a molded plastic base affording a polarized receptacle encompassing a first terminal block having multiple bifurcated front-engaging quick-connection contacts; a latching cover is hinged to the base and strain relief means are provided for mounting the end of a multiconductor cable adjacent the receptacle. The connector apparatus further comprises an instrument cable connector including a second terminal block matching the receptacle configuration and having multiple female contacts; the cable connector is provided with strain relief means for mounting the end of a multiconductor cable. The cable connector mounts directly on the fixed station base, its female contacts receiving the outer ends of the quick-connection contacts to interconnect the two cables, and is held in place by the cover. A multi-instrument fixed station may be included in the connector apparatus; this station employs quick connection contacts like those of the single-instrument station to permit mounting the instrument cable connector directly on the multi-instrument fixed station.

9 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATEHTED FEB 1 81975 SHEET 10F 4 V y I PATENT FEBI 81975 SHEET 2 BF 4 PATENTED FEB] 81975 SHEEI 0F 4 1 MULTI-CONDUCTOR CONNECTOR APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE AND OTHER DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In multiple circuit data transmission systems, and particularly in telephone systems, installation time may constitute a relatively expensive factor in overall system cost. Each time a new telephone instrument is installed, or an instrument is moved from one location to another, a multiple conductor cable must be reconnected in order to incorporate the instrument in the overall system. With the increasing use of plural-circuit telephones, rewiring a single instrument station may entail the completion of or 12 or even as many as 25 individual circuits, in the field, requiring considerable time on the part of an installation or service man. The connection boxes required for this kind of installation, using conventional connector devices, are relatively large. As a consequence, there is always a substantial possibility of damage to the station terminal equipment when furniture is moved in the vicinity of the equipment or when it becomes necessary to repair, remodel, or decorate the premises.

In a telephone or other data transmission system, the individual data handling instruments can usually be pre-wired to a multiple conductor cable that includes a connector termination. Since the same instrument can be used in a number of different circuit arrangements, pre-wiring of the fixed station to which the instrument is connected is not ordinarily feasible and must be accomplished in the field. Consequently, effective use of quick-connection contacts in the fixed station is considerably more important and advantageous than for the connector component that is directly connected to the data transmission instrument itself.

In many telephone'installations, as in an office building, there are one or more major connector stations for connecting a plurality of single instrument stations to the overall communication network. When a newly installed or repaired instrument fails to operate properly, it is frequently difficult to determine whether a wiring error has occurred at the major multi-instrument station or at the single-instrument station directly associated with the instrument. In these instances, it is desirable to be able to connect the instrument directly to the multi-instrument station, without going through the intervening single-instrument station, to ascertain the location of the incorrect wiring. In most forms of connector apparatus, the major station is quite different from the single-instrument station, due to the differing requirements for each, and a rapid direct test is not possible.

Conventional connection boxes are assembled from a multiplicity of parts, and commonly include a fiftycontact connector-half, screwed or otherwise mounted in a housing with wires leading from the rear of the connector-half to a plurality of wire-wrap pins mounted in the same housing. In such connection boxes, two separate connection devices are required for a single instrument, one lead-in cable being connected to the wirewrap pins and the other cable being connected to the connector-half by a mating connector-half.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a new and improved connector apparatus for rapidly and interchangeably connecting an electrical data-handling instrument, such as a telephone instrument or a telegraph instrument, to a data transmission system for communication with other datahandling instrument connected in the system.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a new and improved connector apparatus for a datahandling instrument that allows for direct connection of the individual conductors of a multiple conductor cable to quick-connection contacts in a single instrument fixed station and for immediate connection of an instrument to those contacts, using the quickconnection contacts as the male contacts in a plug connection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved connector apparatus for a data transmis' sion system that allows immediate and convenient plug in connection from a single data-handling instrument to either a single-instrument fixed station or a major multi-instrument fixed station, with both stations employing the same type of front-engagement quickconnection contacts.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved connector apparatus for a data-handling instrument of the multiple circuit type that is compact in size and rugged in construction but allows for a connecting or disconnecting operation simply by opening a cover and removing or inserting a single connector plug.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a new and improved connector apparatus for a datahandling instrument requiring a relatively large number of operating circuits that affords the maximum flexibility in the circuit arrangement with a minimum of installation time required for any change, whether of instrument location of instrument wiring.

Accordingly, the invention relates to connector apparatus for rapidly and interchangeably connecting an electrical data-handling instrument to a data transmission system for communication with other data handling instruments connected in the system. The connector apparatus includes a single instrument fixed counter station comprising an insulator base including a first terminal block disposed within a polarized receptacle. A plurality of bifurcated front-engagement quick-connection contacts are mounted in the first terminal block and project outwardly thereof in a predetermined pattern; each contact is constructed to penetrate the insulation on a single communication conductor and to complete an electrical connection thereto upon insertion of the conductor between the bifurcations of the contact; first cable mounting means are provided for mounting the end portion of a multipleconductor cable, comprising a part of the datatransmission system, on the insulator base of the fixed terminal, adjacent the receptacle, with each conductor extending into the receptacle and into electrical connection with one of the front-engagement contacts. A cover, movable between a closed position covering the receptacle and an open position in which the receptacle is exposed, is mounted on the base. Releasable latch means are provided for latching the cover on said base in its closed position. The connector apparatus further includes an instrument cable connector comprising a connector housing including a second terminal block of polarized configuration corresponding to the aforecontacts are mounted in the second terminal block, in.

the same predetermined pattern as the fixed terminal contacts. A second cable-mounting means mounts the end portion of a multi-conductor cable, comprising a part of the data-handling instrument, on the connector housing, the housing affording a covered wiring channel to permit connection of each conductor from the cable to the inner end of one of the female contacts. The cable connector is directly mountable on the base of the fixed connector station, with the cover in its open position, the female contacts of the cable connector receiving the outer ends of the front-engagement contacts to interconnect the individual conductors of the two cables BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a composite perspective view of a single instrument fixed station and an instrument cable connector comprising the principal connector apparatus of the present invention, in disconnected condition;

FIG. 1A is a simplified schematic illustration of a telephone system in which the connector apparatus of the invention may be employed;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the cable connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional side elevation view of the cable connector taken approximately along line 3-3 in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an end elevation view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of a part of the cable connector terminal block, being taken approximately along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a detail sectional view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of the terminal block for the cable connector taken approximately along line 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the singleinstrument fixed connector station illustrated in FIG. 1, with the cover open;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the fixed station taken approximately along line 88 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the fixed station connector apparatus taken approximately along line 9-9 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a detail elevation view of a single contact member in the fixed station of FIGS. 7-9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fixed station connector apparatus in connected condition with a part of cover cut away to show internal details; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a multi-instrument fixed connector station constituting an additional component for the connector apparatus of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1A illustrates, in simplified form, a telephone system in which the connector apparatus of the present invention may be employed. System 20 includes two telephone instruments 21 and 22. Telephones 21 and 22 may be of conventional construction, each equipped with a dail or with individual push buttons 23 for circuit selection purposes and with additional pushbuttons 24 for trunk line, internal communication, and other selection requirements. Telephone 21 is connected to a multiple-conductor cable 25 which, in a typical installation, may include 12 separate conductors. Similarly, telephone 22 is equipped with a multi-conductor connecting cable 26.

The end of cable 25 remote from telephone 21 terminates in an instrument cable connector 27 that is mounted on and electrically connected to a singleinstrument fixed connector station 28. In most installations, cable 25 is relatively short and the fixed connector station 28 is mounted on a wall, on the floor, or on some other support surface in the room in which the telephone is situated. Cable connector 27 and fixed station 28 constitute component parts of the connector apparatus of the present invention, as described more fully below. A similar connecting arrangement is provided for telephone 22, comprising a cable connector 29 on the end of cable 26 remote from telephone 22, connector 29 being connected to a single-instrument connector station 31.

Telephone system 20 further includes a major multiinstrument fixed connector station 32 which may be connected to one or more cables 33 leading to central station equipment or other parts of the overall datatransmission system. One section of station 32 is connected to a cable connector 34 on a multiple conductor cable 35 that is in turn connected to the singleinstrument connector station 28 for telephone 21. Another section of connector station 32 is connected to a cable 36, by means of a cable connector 37, cable 36 linking station 32 to the single-instrument station 31. Station 32 is shown as having capacity for at least one additional telephone instrument; in actual practice, station 32 may include provisions for many more instruments.

In installing telephone system 20, the major connec- 'tion station 32 is linked to the overall tleephone network through connections made to cable 33. These connections can be effected rapidly and efficiently, since all of the contacts for the fixed major terminal are quick-connection contacts of the kind in which an individual insulated conductor is simply inserted in the contact, simultaneously cutting through the insulation and completing an electrical connection to the contact. The individual single-instrument stations 28 and 31 are connected to their cables 35 and 36, respectively, in the same manner. Cables 35 and 36 may be provided with connectors 34 and 37 for plug-in connection to station 32, as illustrated. Alternatively, the individual conductors from cables 35 and 36 may be individually connected to the contacts of station 32 in the same manner as the conductors of cable 33.

Cable 25 and connector 27 are a permanent part of telephone 21. Consequently, when the singleinstrument station 28 has been installed, connection of telephone 21 to the system is effected simply by plugging connector 27 into station 28. The same technique is followed in connecting telephone 22 to station 31, using connector 29. If the wiring at stations 28, 31 and 32 has been effected correctly, nothing further should be required. On the other hand, if either of the telephones 21 and 22 fails to function properly, the wiring for station 28 can be checked by plugging cable connector 27 directly into the related portion of station 32. The same technique can be followed with telephone 22.

The construction for cable connector 27 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6. As shown therein, cable connector 27 includes a molded plastic housing 41 having a recess in which a molded plastic terminal block 42 is mounted. Terminal block 42 is of polarized configuration, having squared off corners 43 at one end of the block and having corners 44 with a definite radius at the other end of the block. Thus, terminal block 42 can be mounted in housing 41 in only one orientation. Terminal block 42 is mounted to housing 41 by appropriate means such as a pair of screws (FIGS. 2 and 3).

Terminal block 42 has a plurality of contact sockets 46 arranged in accordance with a predetermined pattern; for the illustrated connector, there are twelve contact sockets 46 arranged in two equally spaced rows of six sockets each (FIG. 2). As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, each of the sockets 46 has a narrow inwardly projecting rim 47 forming an outer restricted opening around the upper edge of the socket. Rim 47 need not be continuous; an internal projection at the top edge of two sides of each socket is adequate. One of the longer walls of each socket 46 is provided with a central, internally projecting shoulder member 48, the bottom portion of which is tapered outwardly to be flush with the socket wall at some point near the bottom of terminal block 42 (FIGS. 5 and 6).

The terminal block or insert 42 is equipped with a plurality of individual electrically conductive contacts 49, one contact 49 being positioned in each of the sockets 46. Each contact is shaped at the restricted opening to outwardly electrically engage the bifurcations of contacts 84 in base 71. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, each individual contact 49 is sized larger than the outer restricted opening comprises two C-shaped end portions 51 and 52 integral with and interconnected by a central linear wall portion 53 that extends parallel to but is spaced inwardly of one wall of the socket 46 in which the contact is mounted. The central wall 53 of each contact is extended in length forming a rear tail to afford a solder connector 54 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 6). The upper central part of wall 53 of each contact 49 is punched out to form a tab 55 which is bent outwardly from the contact.

In mounting each contact 49 in terminal block 42, the contact is inserted into one of the sockets 46 from the bottom of the socket. As the contact is being inserted, the tab 55 is forced inwardly by engagement with the shoulder 48 within the socket. When the contact is fully inserted in the socket, tab 55 is clear of the upper edge of shoulder 48 and springs back into engagement with the upper edge of the shoulder to retain the contact firmly seated in the socket. For effective mounting, each of the conductive contacts 49 is preferably formed from a metal having at least limited resiliency to facilitate rapid mounting in the manner described; if necessary, a small tool can be utilized to bend tab 55 on each socket away from the central portion of the contact and into engagement with the socket shoulder 48 subsequent to insertion of the contact in the terminal block socket.

Terminal block 42 does not extend to the bottom of housing 41. Rather, there is enough clearance between the bottom of the terminal block and the lower interior surface of connector housing 41 to afford a covered wiring channel 58. One end of housing 41, the left-hand end as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes an open channel 59, comprising an extension of channel 58, for receiving one end of a multi-conductor cable, the instrument cable 25 (FIG. 1A). The end of cable 25 is secured in channel 59 by a suitable clamp or other strain relief device 61 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The individual insulated condoctors 62 from cable 25 project down the wiring channel 58 and are each soldered or otherwise connected to one of the solder tabs 54 on the electrical contacts 49, as shown in FIG. 3. The connections for the conductors 62 and the solder tabs 54 are effected before terminal block 42 is mounted in connector housing 41.

The construction of the single-instrument connector station 28, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7 through 10, is somewhat more complex. Connector station 28 comprises an insulator base 71, formed of molded plastic, and a cover 72. Cover 72 is preferably formed as an integral molded member with base 71, the cover and the base being joined by a membrane 73 of relatively thin cross section affording a hinge allowing movement of cover 72 from the open position shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 to the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1. Cover 72 is preferably formed with two or more transverse ribs 74.

A part of base 71 forms a polarized receptacle shaped to orient mating connector 27 during the mating engagement of the contacts 75, comprising an upper wall 76, side walls 77 and 78, and a lower wall 79, having an internal configuration conforming to the external configuration of the cable connector terminal block 42, the bottom receptacle corners being squared off and the top receptacle covers having a definite radius. A terminal block 81 is mounted within receptacle 75. Terminal block 81 is inserted into receptacle in base 71 from the front, and is held in the receptacle by suitable mounting means such as a pair of screws 82; only one of the mounting screws 82 is shown in the drawing (FIGS. 8 and 9).

Terminal block 81 includes a plurality of contact sockets 83 corresponding in number to the contact sockets in the cable connector terminal block 42. Furthermore, the distribution pattern for the contact sockets 83 in terminal blocks 81 is the same as for the cable connector contact sockets. In each of the sockets 83 there is mounted a bifurcated front-engagement quickconnection contact 84. As shown in FIG. 10, each quick-connection contact 84 in each longitudinally extending row has a wedge-shaped base 85 with a pair of upwardly projecting arms 86 and 87. At the lower end of the contacts, the arms 87 are separated from each other by an opening 88; above the opening 88, however, when there is no conductor connected to the contact, the two contact bifurcations 86 and 87 abut each other along the surface line 89. The upper end of arm 86 terminates in a hook-like projection 91, which is separated from the upper end 92 of arm 87 by an opening 93 that facilitates insertion of a conductor into the contact.

As shown in FIG. 9, each individual contact 84 is inserted into one of the sockets 83 through the lower end of the socket, the insertion movement being limited by engagement of the base 85 of the contacts with a shoulder 95 at the lower end of the socket. The thickness of each contact is approximately equal to the internal width of its socket, so that little or no lateral play is permitted to the contacts. When all of the quickconnection'contacts 84 have been inserted in terminal block 81, a bottom cover 96 is mounted on the terminal block to hold all of the contacts in place (FIGS. 8 and 9). Preferably, removable mounting means such as the screws 97 are employed for this purpose, to permit removal and replacement of the contacts if necessary. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper portion of each of the contacts 84 projects well above the upper surface 98 of terminal block 81.

cient rigidity to provide for firm mounting of cable connector 27 on base 71 as described below.

A bar 102 having a central slot 103 is formed on the central portion of base 71, adjacent the inner wall 77 of receptacle 75. At the bottom of base 71, there is a guide wall 104 which includes a cable slot 105. Wall 104 is also provided with a slot 106 longitudinally adjacent terminal block 81 for receiving a portion of cable connector 27. Two recesses 108 and 109 are formed in base 71 adjacent the upper and lower edges of the base (FIG. 7). Recess 108 is provided with a key-shaped slot 111 and recess 109 is provided with a smaller keyshaped slot 112. Slots 111 and 112 are utilized to receive appropriate mounting bolts or screws 113 (FIG. 1) to mount base 71 on a wall or other support surface. The single-instrument connector station 28 is partially assembled prior to use. That is, terminal block 81 is assembled and mounted in receptacle 75. In the field, cover 72 is opened and the connector cable 35 for the station is threaded through slot 105. The end of the cable is clamped to base 71 by a strain-relief clamp 121 (FIG. 1). The end portion of the cable sheath is stripped from the individual insulated conductors 122 and the conductors are wound around the stress bar 102 to afford strain relief for the individual conductors;

' the edges of stress bar 102 are provided with winding slots 123 (FIGS. 7 and 8) for this purpose.

From stress bar 102, the conductors 122 to be connected to the four upper contacts 84 of terminal block 81 are introduced to the interior of receptacle 75 through slot 101 in receptacle wall 77. Each of the conductors is connected to its individual contact 84 simply by inserting the conductor into the gap between the contact bifurcations. These quick-connection contacts penetrate, the insulation of the conductor and complete an electrical connection by this simple act of insertion. The conductors 122 for the four middle contacts 84 are similarly brought into the interior of receptacle 75 through the central slot 101 in wall 77. The conductors for the four lower contacts 84 extend into the terminal block receptacle through the lower slot 101 in wall 77. In this manner, the wiring of the single station terminal 28 is completed rapidly and efficiently, even though it must be accomplished in the field.

Once the wiring of terminal 28 is accomplished, as

described above, it is ready for mounting on a wall or other support surface in the area where telephone 21 is to be utilized (FIG. 1A). To connect the telephone or other data-handling instrument to terminal 28, the cable connector 27 for the instrument is mounted on station 28 by inserting its terminal block 42 into receptacle 75 as generally indicated by arrow A (FIG. 1). Each of the quick-connection contacts 84 of station 28 is received in one of the connector sockets 46 and engages one of the female contacts 49 of the cable connector as shown in FIG. 5. The C-shaped end portions 51 and 52 of the female contact grip the prongs of the male quick-connection contact quite firmly, affording a good electrical connection. The extended portion 124 of cable connector 27 nests in the slot 106 in wall 104 of terminal base 71 and in the aligned slot 125 in the lower wall 79 of receptacle (FIG'. 1).

When cable connector 27 is inserted into receptacle 75, the outer surface 50 of terminal block 42 does not engage the outer surface 98 of terminal block 81. Rather, the rim surface of receptacle 75 engages theledge 60 around the cable connector (FIG. 1), leaving a space between terminal block surfaces 50 and 98 (FIGS. 8 and 9) for wiring clearance. Alternatively,

wiring grooves can be formed in the outer surface 98 of terminal block 81, but this makes wiring more difficult.

With connector 27 mounted in its position of use in receptacle 75 on base 71 toterminal 28, cover 72 is closed on the cover receiving surface as illustrated.

in FIG. 11. The lower wall 128 of cover-72 has two cable entry slots 129 and 131. Slot 129 accommodates the terminal cable 35 and slot 131 fits over the instrument cable. The ribs 74 on the cover engage the back of connector 27 to hold it in place, in the manner shown in FIG. 11. v

A latch could be provided on cable connector 27 to maintain it in position in receptacle 75 and thus assure good contact between each of the contact pairs. In the illustrated construction, cover 72 is utilized for this purpose. Where the cover is employed as a retainer for the cable connector, a simple latching arrangement may be employed. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9, the upper wall 133 of cover 72 may be provided with a small wedge-shaped latch element 134 aligned with a retainer lug 135 formed as an integral part of base 71 and projecting outwardly of the base. When cover 72 is closed, latch member 134 slides past retainer 135 and springs back into engagement with the retainer when the cover is fully closed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. To release the latch, wall 133 of cover 72 is flexed inwardly or lug 135 is flexed outwardly a short distance in the immediate area of latch member 134, releasing the latch and allowing the cover to be opened. This can be accomplished conveniently by inserting a screwdriver into the gap 139 between the top of lug 135 and wall 133 to release the latch. A similar latch arrangement may be provided on the lower wall 128 of cover 72, as indicated by latch element 138 on cover 72 and lug 137 on base 171 (FIG. 7).

Alternatively, similar or other readily reasonable latch means may be mounted on the side wall 136 of cover 72 and on the corresponding portion of base 7 (FIG. 1). An arrangement of this kind is illustrated in FIG. 1 1. As shown therein, the outer surface of base 71 adjacent receptacle wall 78 may be provided with two retainer slots 135A and 137A for receiving two latch elements 134A and 138A. In this construction, the latch elements 134A and 138A are formed integrally with the leadingedge of the wall 136 of the cover. When the cover is closed, the latch elements 134A and 138A flex inwardly as they enter slots 135A and 138A, respectively, then spring back to latch the cover in closed position. Each latch is easily released by inserting a screwdriver into the slot to bend the latch element inwardly to an extent sufflcient to clear the retainer edge of the latch retainer slot.

With the single-instrument connector apparatus 27, 28 illustrated in FIGS. 111, as described above, a 'change in the location of the individual telephone or other data-handling instrument 21 can be effected rapidly and efficiently. For a new location, it is only necessary to install and wire a station 28, in the manner described above, the individual connections being effected quickly and simply by mounting cable 35 on base 71 and by inserting the individual conductors 122 into the quick-connection contacts 84 as described above. As soon as the single-instrument station is wired and mounted in place, instrument 2] can be immediately connected thereto by plugging in its cable connector 27 and closing cover 72.

Station 28 is compact in size, projecting outwardly from a wall or other mounting surface by only a minimum distance so that the likelihood of damage to the station or its mating cable connector is minimal. Furthermore, the molded plastic construction for the sta tion is quite rugged and affords a fully protected terminal box. In those instances in which a user desires to shift telephone or other data-handling instrument between different locations, depending on use requirements, the connector apparatus 27, 28 provides for a quick disconnect and immediate reconnect operation that can be accomplished by untrained personnel with little or no likelihood of damage to any of the connector components, thus affording maximum flexibility in circuit arrangements with a minimum of installation time. The contacts 49 of cable connector 27 have minimal exposure, being protected by the rim 47 on each socket 46. The contacts 84 of station 28 are fully protected by cover 72. The connector apparatus requires only a minimum number of parts, and effects all connections through a single connector device.

FIG. 12 illustrates one construction that may be utilized for the multi-instrument station 32 of the complete telephone system illustrated in FIG. 1A. In the form shown in FIG. 12, station 32 comprises a large molded plastic terminal block 151 in which a multiplicity of bifurcated front-engagement quick-connection contacts 152 are mounted. The contact mounting arrangement for block 151 may be the same as for terminal block 81; that is, the contacts 152 may be inserted into individual sockets from the rear of the block and locked in place by a cover 153, affording suitable cable channels 155 along the sides of the lock. The walls 156 of terminal block 151 may be equipped with suitable clamps or other strain-relief cable mounts (not shown) and are provided with a series of spaced slots 157 to afford access for individual conductors for connection to contacts 152.

In terminal block 151, contacts 152 are arranged in individual sets corresponding in number and arrangement to the number and pattern of the male contacts 84 in the single-instrument station 28 (FIG. 1). Thus, the two rows of contacts 152 at the right-hand end of terminal block 151 (FIG. 12) have the same arrangement and spacing as the male contacts 84 of station 28 (FIGS. 1 and 7). Thus, the cable connector for an individual data-handling instrument can be mounted directly on station 32, as indicated by phantom outline 162, for test purposes. Whenever a new installation is completed and circuit operation does not proceed properly, an immediate check is available to determine whether incorrect wiring has occurred at the multiinstrument station 32 or at the single-instrument station 28. The connections for the single station cable 35 (FIG. 1A) are not shown in FIG. 12; this can be accomplished by conductors individually connected to the contacts 152 or cable 35 may be equipped with a connector similar in construction to cable connector 27. The capacity of station 32 may be varied to conform to the kind of requirements of individual jobs; stations of this kind can be constructed in several different sizes to accommodate varying system needs.

I claim:

1. Connector apparatus for rapidly and interchangeably connecting an electrical data handling instrument to a data transmission system for communication with other data handling instruments connected in the system, said connector apparatus comprising:

a single-instrument fixed connector station comprising:

an insulator base including a cover receiving outer surface; a first terminal block disposed within said surface; a plurality of bifurcated frontengagement quick-connection contacts mounted in said first terminal block and projecting outwardly thereof in a predetermined pattern in-v cluding at least one longitudinally extending row, each contact including bifurcations to penetrate the insulation on a single communication conductor outwardly of said base and to complete an electrical connection thereto upon insertion of the conductor. between the bifurcations of the contact; first cable mounting means within said surface for mounting the end portion of a multipie-conductor cable, comprisinga part of said data-transmission system, on said insulator base, laterally spaced from and adjacent said terminal block and into electrical connection with one of said front-engagement contacts;

said base including within said surface, a wall between said cable mounting means and said terminal block with a plurality of outwardly open slots for insertion-of said conductors to said contacts, a connector receiving slot longitudinally adjacent said terminal block, and a polarized shape to orient a mating connector for mating engagement with said contacts,

a cover, movable between a closed position covering said receptacle and an open position in which said receptacle is exposed;

and releasable latch means for latching said cover on said base in its closed position;

and an instrument cable connector comprising:

a connector housing including a second terminal block of polarized configuration corresponding to said polarized shape;

a plurality of female contacts mounted in said second terminal block, in said predetermined pattern; and second cable-mounting means for mounting the end portion of a multi-conductor cable, comprising a part of said data-handling instrument, in said connector housing, said housing affording a covered wiring channel to permit connection of each conductor from said cable to the inner end of one of said female contacts;

said cable connector being directly mountable on said base of said fixed connector station with said cover in its open position, with said second terminal block extending into said polarized shape and said female contacts of said cable connector receiving said bifurcations of said front engagement contacts to interconnect the individual conductors of the two cables in accordance with said predetermined pattern.

2. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which said cable connector is engaged by said cover, when the cover is latched in its closed position, to hold said cable connector on said base and maintain said second terminal block in said receptacle.

3. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which said first terminal block is a separate member of molded plastic, mounted on said insulator base, including a plurality of contact sockets each having a shoulder at the lower end of the socket, said contacts each being inserted into the lower end of one of said sockets into engagement with said shoulder, and in which all of said contacts are held in said sockets by a cover removably mounted on the bottom of said first terminal block.

4. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, including a receptacle formed by a series of walls molded integrally with said base and affording at least one stop surface, and in which said cable connector includes a ledge for engaging said receptacle wall stop surface, when said cable connector is mounted on said base, to maintain a wiring space between said first and second terminal blocks to accommodate said conductors.

5. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which said cover is molded integrally with said base and is hinged to said base by a thin membrane of the molded insulator material of which said base and cover are formed.

6. Connector appararus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which each female contact is mounted in an individual socket in said second terminal block, and in which each of said female contacts of said cable connector includes two C-shaped end portions, engaging the end and side walls of its socket, interconnected by a linear contact wall portion extending parallel to but spaced from one wall of said socket.

7. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 6, in which each socket in said second terminal block includes a shoulder, on the lower portion of the socket wall adjacent the linear wall portion of its associated contact, and in which the linear wall portion of each contact includes a mounting tab, integral with the contact, engaging said shoulder to hold said female contact in said socket against withdrawal through the bottom of said socket.

8. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 6, in which each female contact is inserted into the bottom of its socket in said second terminal block, each socket in said second terminal block including an inwardly projecting top rim for protecting the female contact in the socket and for limiting insertion of the female contact into the socket, and a lower shoulder engaging a part of the female contact to preclude accidental withdrawal of the contact from the socket.

9. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which said cover and said base each include integrally molded mounting surfaces engaging each other around the periphery of the cover when the cover is in its closed position.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,866,996 DATED February 18, 1975.

tNVENTORtS) ,uejene Elicins It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 6, change "instrument" to -instruments-; line 37, change "of" to -or-.

Column 3, line 6 change "dail" to -dial-.

Column r, line 34, change "tleephone" to telephone-.

Column 6, line 56, change "contacts" to -contact-.

Column 9, line 44, after "the" (second occurrence) change "lock" to -block.

Signed and Scaled this sixth Day of Aprill976 [SEAL] A ttes t:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN (mnmr'ssr'oner oj'Parents and Trademarks UNITED STA'IES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,866,996 DATED February 18, 1975- INVENTOR( I Luejene Elkins it is certified that error appeers in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 6, change "instrument" to -instruments-; line 37, change "of" to ,or-.

Column 3, line 63 change "dail" to -dial- Column 4, line 34, change "tleephone" to -telephone-' Column 6, line 56, change "contacts" to -contact- Column 9, line 44, after "the" (second occurrence) change "lock" to block- Signed and Scaled this sixth Day of April1976 [SEAL] AIIESI.

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer 

1. Connector apparatus for rapidly and interchangeably connecting an electrical data handling instrument to a data transmission system for communication with other data handling instruments connected in the system, said connector apparatus comprising: a single-instrument fixed connector station comprising: an insulator base including a cover receiving outer surface; a first terminal block disposed within said surface; a plurality of bifurcated front-engagement quick-connection contacts mounted in said first terminal block and projecting outwardly thereof in a predetermined pattern including at least one longitudinally extending row, each contact including bifurcations to penetrate the insulation on a single communication conductor outwardly of said base and to complete an electrical connection thereto upon insertion of the conductor between the bifurcations of the contact; first cable mounting means within said surface for mounting the end portion of a multiple-conductor cable, comprising a part of said data-transmission system, on said insulator base, laterally spaced from and adjacent said terminal block and into electrical connection with one of said front-engagement contacts; said base including within said surface, a wall between said cable mounting means and said terminal block with a plurality of outwardly open slots for insertion of said conductors to said contacts, a connector receiving slot longitudinally adjacent said terminal block, and a polarized shape to orient a mating connector for mating engagement with said contacts, a cover, movable between a closed position covering said receptacle and an open position in which said receptacle is exposed; and releasable latch means for latching said cover on said base in its closed position; and an instrument cable connector comprising: a connector housing including a second terminal block of polarized configuration corresponding to said polarized shape; a plurality of female contacts mounted in said second terminal block, in said predetermined pattern; and second cable-mounting means for mounting the end portion of a multiconductor cable, comprising a part of said data-handling instrument, in said connector housing, said housing affording a covered wiring channel to permit connection of each conductor from said cable to the inner end of one of said female contacts; said cable connector being directly mountable on said base of said fixed connector station with said cover in its open position, with said second terminal block extending into said polarized shape and said female contacts of said cable connector receiving said bifurcations of said front engagement contacts to interconnect the individual conductors of the two cables in accordance with said predetermined pattern.
 2. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which said cable connector is engaged by said cover, when the cover is latched in its closed position, to hold said cable connector on said base and maintain said second terminal block in said receptacle.
 3. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which said first terminal block is a separate member of molded plastic, mounted on said insulator base, including a plurality of contact sockets each having a shoulder at the lower end of the socket, said contacts each being inserted into the lower end of one of said sockets into engagement with said shoulder, and in which all of said contacts are held in said sockets by a cover removably mounted on the bottom of said first terminal block.
 4. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, including a receptacle formed by a series of walls molded integrally with said base and affording at least one stop surface, and in which said cable connector includes a ledge for engaging said receptacle wall stop surface, when said cable connector is mounted on said base, to maintain a wiring space between said first and second terminal blocks to accommodate said conductors.
 5. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which said cover is molded integrally with said base and is hinged to said base by a thin membrane of the molded insulator material of which said base and cover are formed.
 6. Connector appararus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which each female contact is mounted in an individual socket in said second terminal block, and in which each of said female contacts of said cable connector includes two C-shaped end portions, engaging the end and side walls of its socket, interconnected by a linear contact wall portion extending parallel to but spaced from one wall of said socket.
 7. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 6, in which each socket in said second terminal block includes a shoulder, on the lower portion of the socket wall adjacent the linear wall portion of its associated contact, and in which the linear wall portion of each contact includes a mounting tab, integral with the contact, engaging said shoulder to hold said female contact in said socket against withdrawal through the bottom of said socket.
 8. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 6, in which each female contact is inserted into the bottom of its socket in said second terminal block, each socket in said second terminal block including an inwardly projecting top rim for protecting the female contact in the socket and for limiting insertion of the female contact into the socket, and a lower shoulder engaging a part of the female contact to preclude accidental withdrawal of the contact from the socket.
 9. Connector apparatus for a data transmission system, according to claim 1, in which said cover and said base each include integrally molded mounting surfaces engaging each other around the periphery of the cover when the cover is in its closed position. 